The gunman opened fire inside the school at about 7.45 a.m., around the time the school was about to start for the day, according to Joe Giusti, a Galveston County commissioner, the New York Times reported.

In Texas, the eyewitness, Nikki, said students fled the school in a panic, and several other students told local media they heard multiple gunshots. Parent Richard Allen told KTRK he arrived at the school soon after the shooting and reported seeing a number of victims being taken away in ambulances.

“This is no longer an active shooting situation and the injured are being treated,” the sheriff’s office said on Twitter. “Large police presence, please avoid the area,” Sheriff Gonzalez added. US President Trump has been briefed on the shooting and is receiving regular updates, White House Press Secretary Sarah Sanders said.

“School shooting in Texas. Early reports not looking good. God bless all!” President Trump tweeted. This is the third school shooting in the past seven days and the 22nd since the beginning of the year in the US.